Poonch, Aug 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited the flood-affected areas of Poonch district to assess the devastation caused by the recent flash floods and cloudbursts, meet the affected families and review the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken by the district administration.
During the visit, the Chief Minister met bereaved families in Murrah, Surankote and Arigam-Loran, expressed his heartfelt condolences and assured them of the Government’s unwavering support in overcoming the tragedy.
At Murrah, the CM visited the residence of Mohammad Latif, who tragically lost eight members of his family in the flash floods.
Offering his deepest sympathies, he prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.
In Surankote, Omar interacted with affected families and a delegation from Sangla, Darra Sangla and Lower Sangla. The delegation apprised him of the extensive damage caused to residential houses, agricultural land and infrastructure, besides the tragic loss of lives.
The CM also visited Arigam-Loran, where he met the family of Mohammad Rafiq and Riaz Ahmed, who lost seven members of their family in the flash floods. He participated in Fatiha Khwani, prayed for the departed souls and conveyed his profound condolences to the grieving family.
Interacting with the affected residents, he patiently heard their grievances and hardships arising from the natural calamity. He assured them that the Government stands firmly with every affected family and would ensure all possible relief, rehabilitation and assistance.
Announcing a major rehabilitation measure, Omar said families who have been rendered landless due to the disaster would be provided 5-marla plots for their resettlement.
Referring to the unprecedented nature of the disaster, the CM said it was unfortunate that cloudbursts remain difficult to predict with the existing technological capabilities.
He said the Government would explore the adoption of advanced early-warning technologies to improve disaster preparedness and help minimise the loss of lives and property in the future.
Later, the Chief Minister chaired a review meeting to assess the rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken by the District Administration in the aftermath of the disaster. The Chief Minister directed officers to expedite damage assessment, ensure immediate relief and restore essential services.
He appreciated the prompt, coordinated and dedicated response of the civil administration and other agencies involved in relief operations.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana, MLA Poonch-Haveli Aijaz Ahmed Jan, MLA Surankote Choudhary Mohammad Akram, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta,senior district officers and other concerned officials.